For the second consecutive year, Clayton-Bradley Academy is experiencing growing pains, but these ‘pains’ are the kind the independent STEM school celebrates. Executive Director Pat Bradley announced at their April 15th campus-wide visit day the school’s latest plans for campus expansion. “Our initial campus vision included growth in three phases. We are proud to announce that we are implementing Phase II.”
Clayton-Bradley Academy will be constructing a 35,000 square-foot building to house classrooms, administrative offices, a state-of-the-art training center, and a full-size gymnasium. Included in the plans are lower school science and robotics labs as well as labs for the school’s fine arts programs. “The elementary grades in our Lower School will be near double enrollment for next fall,” reported Bradley.
In addition to the new Lower School building, the Clayton-Bradley Academy campus will expand to accommodate several new classroom buildings. Eight custom-designed modular classrooms constructed by Clayton Homes will house state-of-the-art chemistry, biology, physics, robotics, and makers’ labs in addition to their high-school classrooms. “Our lead science teacher, Kendall Terry, was instrumental in creating usable, workable labs from the STEM teacher perspective,” said Bradley. “We want to continue our open-concept design which makes our campus unique.” Classroom cottages are modules connected by covered walkways and landscaped green spaces, taking advantage of the natural elements of the campus. “Our students have access to a natural spring, creek, and plant and animal life for ongoing observation and study,” said Bradley. Clayton-Bradley Academy will also add an outdoor pavilion as well as expand their current student playground. 165 additional parking spaces will be added to accommodate growth in faculty and students.
“Our enrollment continues to outpace predictions,” said Don Bruce, Chairman of Innovative Education Partnership, Inc. “Our convenient location on Pellissippi Parkway in Innovation Valley, coupled with our integrated STEM curriculum, is a big draw for area families. It also allows us to draw students from a larger geographic area. Our enrollment now includes students from several surrounding counties.”
Another area of growth for Clayton-Bradley Academy has been its new PreK program. Lower School Principal, Mary Liford, established the program in the fall of 2014. PreK enrollment is projected to double when it begins its second year in 2015. “Next year we will be opening our second preschool class enabling us to offer both full-time and part-time classes for our families.”
Future plans for expansion in Phase III call for an Upper School gymnasium and administration building along with state-of-the-art science and fine arts centers. C2RL Engineering, Inc. and Hickory Construction along with Johnson Architecture, Digital AV, and Clayton Homes form the campus expansion design team.
Clayton-Bradley Academy, a year-round independent STEM school utilizing 1:1 state-of-the-art instructional technology and an integrated curriculum opened July, 2013, and was established by Innovative Education Partnership, Inc., in collaboration with Clayton Homes and Executive Director, Pat Bradley.
For more information www.claytonbradleyacademy.org